Filtration device
A filtration device for filtration, comprising at least one filter unit in a closed filter housing, comprises at least one filtration station and a loading and removing station. The filter housing can be opened in at least one parting plane transversely to the longitudinal axis of the filter housing and is movable between the loading and removing station and the filtration station.
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The present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP02/14555 which was filed on Dec. 17, 2003, designating the United States of America and other countries, and which claimed priority of German Application No. DE 101 63 612.1 filed on Dec. 21, 2002, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a filtration device of the kind defined in the preamble of claim 1.
From DE 1 461 407 a vessel filter for dewatering wastewater sludge is known. The vessel filter has a pressure shell which is moveable in the longitudinal direction between two filtration positions. While filtration occurs in the position in which the pressure shell is present, in the other position the individual filter elements can be cleaned so that the cleaning action does not cause a downtime. A disadvantage of such a vessel filter is that the pressure shell itself cannot be cleaned. Accordingly, this filter cannot be used in chemical or pharmaceutical applications. The filtration moreover is carried out with individual filter elements which, for exchanging them, must be individually removed and inserted.
The invention has the object to provide a filtration device of the aforementioned kind with which realizes short downtimes with excellent cleanability of the filter housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis object is solved by a filtration device having the features of claim 1.
The filtration unit can be formed, for example, by one or several stacked filter layer modules, round or angled pre-pressed filter layer packages with exchangeable filter layers and reusable filter plates, one or-several stacked depth filter candles or a depth filtration roll. The separation of filtration station and loading and removing station shortens the downtimes of the filtration device because the filtration can be carried out parallel to loading and removing. Since filter housing and filter unit can be moved between the stations, not only the filter units can be removed but the filter housing can be cleaned also so that the requirements in regard to chemical and pharmaceutical applications can be fulfilled. The use of filter units instead of individual filter elements enables a quick exchange of the complete filter units. The entire filtration device can be configured for minimal volume flows with minimal downtimes so that reduced investment costs result. The filtration device can be operated manually. However, different degrees of automation can be realized to the point of fully automated operation. The degree of automation can be matched to different requirements placed on the filtration device.
It is provided that the parting plane of the filter housing extends transversely to its longitudinal axis. It can also be advantageous to arrange the parting plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter housing.
Expediently, the filter housing comprises at least one compression-proof filter housing sleeve which has approximately the length of at least one filter unit arranged therein. It is provided that the loading and removing station is provided for removing a filter unit from the filter housing sleeve and for loading it into the filter housing sleeve. This is advantageous, in particular, when the filter housing sleeve remains on the filtration device and is cleaned thereat and only the filter unit is exchanged. Expediently, the loading and removing station can also be used for loading and removing filter housing sleeves with filter units arranged therein into the filtration device or from the filtration device, wherein filter units loaded into the filtration device are preferably sterilized and rinsed. This is particularly advantageous when the filter housing sleeves are cleaned and sterilized outside of the filtration device.
It is provided that the filter housing is comprised of filter housing sleeve, lid and bottom, wherein the filter housing sleeve is closed pressure-tightly by means of lid and bottom. Expediently, the loading and removing station serves for attaching the lid and bottom to the filter housing sleeve. This process step can be carried out during the filtration process taking place in the filtration station. It is provided that the filter housing sleeves, in particular, the complete filter housing, of the filtration station and the loading and removing station are interchangeable. Expediently, the loading and removing station has a rinsing and sterilization device. The rinsing and sterilization process can be carried out parallel to the filtration process. In particular, in the case of filtration devices in which the filtration time in comparison to the loading and removing time is short, it is provided that the filtration station contains a rinsing and sterilization station.
Expediently, for approximately identical processing times for filtration versus loading and removing, a separate rinsing and sterilization station is provided in the filtration device, wherein, in particular, a filter housing sleeve is movable from the loading and removing station via the rinsing and sterilization station to the filtration station. When the rinsing and sterilization process is carried out in a separate station or in the loading and removing station, an integrity test can be performed in the filtration station before operating the filter unit in order to detect leaks of the filter. In this way, waste during filtration can be reduced. Expediently, a separate cleaning station is provided which serves for cleaning the filter housing.
It is provided that the filter housing sleeve is arranged horizontally for loading and removing. In particular, filter units which have a central channel can be arranged in a horizontal position in the filter housing sleeve by means of conventional lifting devices because the lifting device can engage the central channel and no additional holding means must be provided on the filter unit. Expediently, the filter housing sleeve is arranged vertically in the filtration station. However, it can be provided that the filter housing sleeve is arranged at a slant in the filtration station. When the filter housing sleeve is arranged at a slant in the filtration station or is vertically arranged, the loading and removing station expediently is provided with a tilting device which is used for tilting the filter housing sleeve from the vertical position or slanted position into a horizontal position and back.
For receiving rotationally symmetrical filter units, the filter housing sleeve is expediently rotationally symmetrical. For receiving filter units with polygonal cross-section it is provided that the filter housing sleeve has a polygonal cross-section. Advantageously, the cross-section of the filter housing sleeve and the cross-section of the filter unit are matched to one another.
Embodiments of the invention will be explained in the following with the aid of the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The filter housing sleeve 5 is closed in the filtration station 2 by means of a bottom and a lid—which are not illustrated in
In
In the loading and removing station 3 the filter housing sleeve 5 is horizontally arranged. The parting plane 17 of the filter housing 4 extends transversely to the longitudinal axis 19 of the filter housing. For loading and removing the filter housing sleeve 5, the lifting device 13 engages the central channel 14 of a filter unit 6. A tilting device is integrated in the loading and removing station 3 and tilts the filter housing sleeve 5 with the bottom 7 arranged thereat into the vertical position. The lid 8 is lowered and pressed onto the filter housing sleeve 5 in the vertical position thereof. A sealing edge 15 arranged on the bottom 7 and on the lid 8 can be in engagement with the filter unit 6 and seals it. The filter unit 6 is particularly already pre-pressed so that the required pressing stroke for a safe sealing action is less than 60 mm.
After completion of a filtration cycle, the filter housings 4 are moved in the illustration of
In the filtration device illustrated in
FIGS. 4 to 9 show different arrangements of filter units 6 in filter housing sleeves 5. In
In
In
Claims
1. Filtration device for filtration comprising at least one filter unit in a closed filter housing, wherein the filter housing can be opened along at least one parting plane,
- wherein the filtration device comprises at least one filtration station and a loading and removing station and in that the filter housing with the filter unit is movable between the loading and removing station and the filtration station.
2. Filtration device according to claim 1,
- wherein the parting plane extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the filter housing.
3. Filtration device according to claim 1,
- wherein the parting plane extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter housing.
4. Filtration device according to claim 1,
- wherein the filter housing comprises at least one compression-proof filter housing sleeve which has approximately the length of at least one filter unit arranged therein.
5. Filtration device according to claim 4,
- wherein the loading and removing station serves for exchanging a filter unit arranged in the filter housing sleeve.
6. Filtration device according to claim 4,
- wherein the loading and removing station serves for loading filter housing sleeves with filter units arranged therein into or removing them from the filtration device, wherein filter units loaded into the filtration device are especially sterilized and/or rinsed.
7. Filtration device according to claim 4,
- wherein a lid and a bottom are provided on the end faces of the filter housing sleeve of the filter housing, wherein the filter housing sleeve is closed pressure-tightly by the lid and bottom.
8. Filtration device according to claim 7,
- wherein the loading and removing station serves for attaching the lid and the bottom on the filter housing sleeve.
9. Filtration device according to claim 4,
- wherein the filter housing sleeves, in particular, the complete filter housing, of the filtration station and the loading and removing station are exchangeable.
10. Filtration device according to claim 1,
- wherein the loading and removing station comprises a rinsing and sterilization station.
11. Filtration device according to claim 1,
- wherein the filtration station comprises a rinsing and sterilization station.
12. Filtration device according to claim 1,
- wherein a separate rinsing and sterilization station is provided in the filtration device, wherein, in particular, a filter housing sleeve is movable from the loading and removing station via the rinsing and sterilization station to the filtration station.
13. Filtration device according to claim 1,
- wherein a separate cleaning station is provided which serves for cleaning the filter housing.
14. Filtration station according to claim 4,
- wherein the filter housing sleeve is arranged horizontally during loading and removing.
15. Filtration device according to claim 4,
- wherein the filter housing sleeve is vertically arranged in the filtration station.
16. Filtration device according to claim 15,
- wherein a tilting device is provided in the loading and removing station which serves for tilting the filter housing sleeve from a vertical position into a horizontal position and back.
17. Filtration device according to claim 4,
- wherein the filter housing sleeve is arranged at a slant in the filtration station.
18. Filtration device according to claim 17,
- wherein a tilting device is provided in the loading and removing station which serves for tilting the filter housing sleeve from a slanted position into a horizontal position and back.
19. Filtration device according to claim 4,
- wherein the filter housing sleeve is rotationally symmetrical.
20. Filtration device according to claim 4,
- wherein the filter housing sleeve has a polygonal cross-section.
21. Filtration device according to claim 4,
- wherein the cross-section of the filter housing sleeve and the cross-section of the filter unit are matched to one another.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 9, 2004
Publication Date: Mar 17, 2005
Patent Grant number: 7473357
Applicant: Pall Corporation (East Hills, NY)
Inventors: Wolfgang Diemer (Waldstetten), Martin Zeiler (Schwabisch Gmund)
Application Number: 10/863,383